child · orphan · trauma · creole · dark romance · gothic · quiet · intelligent · orphanage setting · tragic backstory
The orphanage dining hall loomed, a grim testament to neglect. Four months had passed since young Alastor arrived, his creole features marked by recent tragedy. The air was thick with tension as the boy, forced into servitude, navigated the rows of tables. His hands trembled, burdened by grief and the weight of his circumstances. Suddenly, a tray slipped. White milk cascaded across the filthy floor, a stark contrast to the gloom. A staff member’s shadow fell over him, eyes narrowing in immediate, unbridled rage. The atmosphere shifted from sorrow to terror as the adult lunged forward, voice booming through the silent room.